The OnePlus 12R is not a flagship – but with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and an LTPO AMOLED display (6.78”, 1264p), it sure looks like one. And you can pick one up for $500 or less.
This is in the 8/128GB configuration, but you can double that to 16/256GB for $100 more. That’s one way to make Galaxy S24 owners jealous – or you can show them the 100W charger that comes in the box.
Anyway, you can pick up the phone from Amazon and get a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Alternatively, if you have an old phone that you want to get rid of, head over to OnePlus.com. The trade-in program offers up to $400 in credit with $100 of that being guaranteed (“any phone, in any condition”). And if you’re a student, you can get 10% off. Additionally, you can get 30% off a OnePlus Watch 2 and OnePlus Buds 3.
The OnePlus 12 is a proper flagship as it is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a QHD+ LTPO display and a superior set of camera (the 12R is fairly basic in this department). You can get up to $700 trade-in credit from OnePlus.com, $100 of which is guaranteed (again, “any phone, in any condition”).
For around the same amount of cash as the 12R, you can have a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE instead. This one uses the even older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and its display has only FHD+ resolution (and isn’t an LTPO panel). You do get a tele camera (even if only 3x 8MP), proper IP68 dust and water resistance rating (vs. IP64 on the 12R) and wireless charging (but wired charging is only 25W). Also, the S23 FE will be supported a year longer with one more OS update (but that is nullified by starting with an older Android version) and 5 years of security patches in total.
Another alternative is the Google Pixel 7 Pro. This one does have a 6.7” QHD+ LTPO display, a proper 48MP 5x periscope and both wired and wireless charging (both equally slow at 23W). This model is from late 2022 and the Tensor G1 chipset has a poor reputation. Still, the phone will be supported for a while longer (it should see Android 16 and security patches until 2027).
If you’re on the lookout for a cheap, large tablet, it’s hard to do better than the Amazon Fire Max 11. Its 11” IPS LCD has 2,000 x 1,200px resolution and runs at 60Hz. The octa-core MediaTek chipset is better than what’s inside other Fire tablets and pretty decent in general. While there is a microSD slot, we’d recommend paying a bit extra to get the 128GB model – it’s only $15 more. Note: this comes with no lockscreen ads (normally, this costs extra).
A few weeks ago we spotted an Apple MacBook Air with an M2 processor at $950. However, now you can pick up a 13.3” MacBook Pro – also with an M2 but air-cooled – for $1,000. This is for the same 8/256GB configuration. You can get double the storage for $100 more, but Best Buy doesn’t have models with 16GB RAM in stock (it does have a 24GB/1TB option, which is a $300 upgrade).
For reference, the newer Apple MacBook Pro with an M3 chip is $1,450 in an 8/512GB configuration. This generation is slightly larger (14” display) and drops the touch bar in favor of more standard function keys.
That MacBook Air 13.6” M2 from a few weeks ago is now down to $900 for 8/256GB and $1,100 for 8/512GB.
We have featured this bundle before – a PlayStation 5 slim (the disc version) with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. However, it’s usually $500 and it is now 10% off.
Gamers who don’t like wires should have a look at the Logitech G Fits. This looks like a pair of Bluetooth TWS buds (and it is), but it comes with a USB dongle that enables a low-latency Lightspeed connection. Lightspeed is Logitech technology that is also used in their wireless mice. This works with both consoles like the PS5, PCs and smartphones too. For a cheaper take on the same thing, have a look at the Soundcore VR P10 from Anker.
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Haslinda has worked with some of the largest telcos in North America and Asia. She loves tech and doesn’t like iPhone
